The Hazard App is a free mobile app for Android or iOS, to help you identify hazards, reduce risks and stay informed when you need it most.

Be prepared with the Hazard App 

A disaster can strike anytime, anywhere and affect anyone in New Zealand.  Being prepared could help save your life and the lives of your family and whānau. 

The Hazard app: 

  • Uses trustworthy information from the National Emergency Management Agency and your local CDEM groups. 
  • Is preloaded with information about hazards including floods, earthquakes, tsunami, fire, weather and biosecurity risks. This means you have instant access to all information, even without cell phone reception or an internet connection. 
  • Sends you alerts about earthquakes, tsunami, floods and other hazards in your area of New Zealand. 
  • Sends alerts if you have WiFi, even if you don't have mobile phone coverage. 
  • Allows you to monitor more than one location at once.

Download the Hazard app 

For Android users 

  • Download the Hazard app from the Google Play store  
  • The app works on Android OS version 11 and above.

iOS / Apple devices 

Set up a new location to monitor 
  1. Select ‘Alerts’ icon.
  2. Select on ‘+’ sign.  
  3. Enter street address. 
  4. Select ‘Next’.  
  5. Add people to this monitored location (optional).  
  6. Select ‘Finish’.  
Edit an alert radius 
  1. Select ‘Alerts’ icon.  
  2. Select ‘Locations’.  
  3. Select the location you want to manage.  
  4. Select ‘Alert Radius’.  
  5. Adjust the size of the area you want to monitor by sliding the radius button.  
  6. Select ‘Back’. 
Choose which alerts to receive 
  1. Select ‘Alerts’ icon.  
  2. Select ‘Locations’.  
  3. Select the location you want to manage.  
  4. Scroll down and turn on or off the notifications you prefer.  
  5. Select ‘Back’. 

Note: It is strongly recommended that ‘General Notifications’ remains turned on so you receive Civil Defence alerts. 

Monitor your current location so the app knows where you are 
  1. Click ‘Alerts’ icon.  
  2. Click ‘Locations’.  
  3. Scroll to bottom for ‘Current Location’.  
  4. Switch button on. 

Note: For this feature, your phone’s location settings must always be turned on. This may increase your battery usage. 

Go to 'Settings' in your phone and agree to receive automatic updates from the Hazard App. 

Set up a new location to monitor
  1. Select on menu icon (top left-hand side beside ‘Prepare). 
  2. Select ‘Alerts’.
  3. Select ‘Manage Locations’.
  4. Select ‘Add new location’. 
  5. Enter street address. 
  6. Select ‘Accept’. 
  7. Add people to this monitored location (optional). 
  8. Select ‘Finish’. 
Edit an alert radius
  1. Select on menu icon (top left-hand side beside ‘Prepare’). 
  2. Select ‘Alerts’. 
  3. Select ‘Manage Locations’.
  4. Select the location you want to manage. 
  5. Select ‘Edit Location’. 
  6. Adjust the size of the area you want to monitor by sliding the radius button. 
  7. Select ‘Accept’. 
Choose which alerts to receive
  1. Select on menu icon (top left-hand side beside ‘Prepare’). 
  2. Select ‘Alerts’. 
  3. Select ‘Manage Locations’.
  4. Select the location you want to manage. 
  5. Scroll down and turn on/off the notifications you prefer. 
  6. Select check mark (top left-hand side) when done. 

Note: It is strongly recommended that ‘General Notifications’ remains turned on so you receive Civil Defence alerts.

Monitor your current location so the app knows where you are
  1. Select on menu icon (top left-hand side beside ‘Prepare’). 
  2. Select ‘Alerts’.
  3. Select ‘Manage Locations’.
  4. Scroll to bottom for ‘Current Location’. 
  5. Switch button on.

Note: For this feature, your phone’s location settings must always be turned on. This may increase your battery usage.

Go to Settings in your phone and agree to receive automatic updates from the Hazard App.   

Customise the Hazard App

Watch the 3 minute video to see how to tailor the information to your location and your interests.

QBE Insurance supports the Hazard App

QBE Insurance partners with Red Cross globally to enhance community resilience by preparing for, responding to, and recovering from disasters.

In New Zealand, QBE is the primary supporter of the Hazard App, helping Red Cross promote and maintain the app and enabling New Zealanders to stay safe and informed in emergencies. 

Information about our partnership with QBE Insurance.